For those who have ignored all advice from friends and foes and still insist on traveling with pets internationally (despite the extra $100 airline fee, risk of injury or death in checked cabin, and overall struggle with finding pet friendly places to stay) you will need to get your dog or cat a microchip.  A microchip is a small device that is injected under your pets skin/fur that has a unique identification number.  Upon entry, they will match that chip number to your required vaccination cards.  If you lose your pet, the microchip is not a gps device, so it doesn’t help locate your pet in that manner.  If a pet shelter has the sense to look for a microchip (which can only be read by a certain scanning device) and posts that information where you can view it, that’s the only way it would help.  A microchip is required for the European Union and most other well traveled destinations.  And by the way the UK does not allow pets at all.

If you really need some companionship, in the form of a furry animal, a possibility is to purchase one while you are abroad.  I’ve been asked on more than one occasion if I want to buy a dog.  Part of me feels sorry for the dog because you know it’s not being treated well, but I’d feel even worse if I had to part ways with the dog in a few weeks.

This post is in defense of my last post about how I hate the word ‘staycation’. My argument being that a ‘staycation’ is not a vacation, and if you don’t have money to travel there’s better ways to handle it than bullshitting yourself into thinking you’re on vacation.

So…here’s my answer. If you have an idea of what your next ‘real vacation’ or trip will be, why not make it better by putting some time preparing for it now. Here’s an example. I love snorkeling and swimming when on vacation, it’s always on the agenda. So right now, while I’m unable to travel due to budget reasons, I am trying to learn to hold my breath for a longer period of time. This will allow me to enjoy more time undersea when I do actually get to go on a trip.

My suggestion, check out Wiki-How. If you plan on doing a lot of walking, why not train for that if you’re out of shape. Or train for the Great Wall of China marathon. If you like to get plastered on vacation…explore with medicines and alcohol now to find out the cheapest way to get hammered. Okay, maybe that last one was a bad example, but you get my point. I’ll try to do a Friday-Wrap Up in addition to this post later. I’ve also got a new travel button I’m about finished with.

You’ve heard it. It’s like a bad verse from a Hanson song (or any verse from a Hanson song for that matter). The phrase ‘staycation’ has been used too many times this year and is making its way through the unimaginative news media networks. Supposedly a ‘staycation’ is where you stay at home and vacation. Which to me is simply unvalidated. A ‘staycation’ is not a vacation in any sense of the word. It’s crap and should be shot and gone from our vocab. Here’s my proof…and if pop news networks use it, it’s one more reason why I hate it.

MSNBC bit with this article

Even CNN the best of the worst major networks bit

And of course the worst of the worst bites, and even tried to coin ‘sex staycation’

Okay…let’s set the record…a ‘staycation’ is to the media is what I call a ‘weekend’ or ‘free time.’ Don’t get hyped up, just shoot this terminology and bury it.

I will be posting my solution for all of us who are out of money and can’t travel in the near future, since I’m criticizing this phrase so much.

People always seem to be baffled when selecting which shoes to pack while traveling. In addition to the obvious need for comfort, there is more to consider. A lot of companies make shoes that will fit your needs, Merrell is good, Rockports are probably the most comfortable if you don’t mind wearing old man looking shoes, Dr. Martens, Ecco’s are also good all-around. When you are shopping online for shoes, I think you’ll have the best luck searching the site’s casual, trail, or walking categories. Street shoes are common and you will see those a lot while traveling, buy my argument against those are comfort. Most street shoes are generally for the flat footed. Here’s my short list for selecting travel shoes:

Comfort: Sure this is the most important factor because if your shoes are so uncomfortable you can’t walk in them, it may ruin your trip. So be sure to go with a pair you have worn and tested for at least 2 weeks before you travel. Comfort doesn’t just apply to sneakers or casual shoes, it also means comfortable sandals as well.

Style: I argue style is a bigger decider while traveling than when at home. Here’s my point, while at home, we can pick out a shoe for every occasion, but on the road, we are limited to whatever shoe we packed, which is generally just one. Most backpackers I’ve met pack one pair of sandals, and one pair of shoes, hence that pair of shoes needs to fit all occasions you will be facing while traveling. For instance, you may want a pair to wear with shorts and long pants both. You may need a pair that will be good for the discos & clubs, and that same pair will need to get you up 1000′s of stairs to reach the top of that famous monument. So always consider what you’ll be doing before picking out shoes.

Running: Make sure you can run or at least move quickly in your shoes. Why would you need a pair that you can run in? Let’s see…you’re being chased by thugs…you’ve got a train to catch…you’ve got to jump out of the way of bicyclists & city buses. At least once If you are a backpacker city hoping, you will find yourself in a situation like this. If you are wearing heels or slip-on’s, you’re going to lose your shoes eventually…which is a bad thing.

Color: In general, it’s better to pick a darker shade. White just doesn’t blend in with the crowd most of the time, and if you’re wearing white Nike’s or Adidas, you’re probably going to be pegged for a tourist. Also, dark colors seem to work in more situations. The only real challenge is finding a pair that works with shorts and pants alike.

Destination: Depending on where you travel, it will make a difference which shoes you pack. This article covers the backpacking hotspots such as Europe, Central America & Mexico, Austrailia, & New Zealand. One option is to purchase a pair of local shoes when you arrive at your destination. Wear a really old pair of shoes you want to get rid of to your destination, and then throw them out and buy a new pair wherever you are. This let’s you see what the locals wear and also makes sure you don’t stand out in a crowd.

Activity: I wasn’t going to include this category, because it’s almost common-sense. But out of my need for thoroughness I opted to add it. If you are traveling for a specific activity, don’t forget to think about that when packing shoes. I’m talking about bicycling shoes, competitive running events, hiking…etc. Often for this type of travel, you’ll be packing more than one pair of shoes and one pair of sandals. If that’s the case, you might want to get an external shoe bag you can clip onto your pack. I’m a big fan of not having to pack shoes in my pack, purely because they take up so much room. A small external pack for shoes will anchor on nicely to any good pack.

I do fly quite a bit for someone who’s not flying due to business, and I almost always take a look through the magazines in the seat pocket in front of me. If it’s a particularly long flight or tarmac delay (no electronic devices), I get around to the SkyMall catalog…and every time I manage to be impressed by human nature’s ability to attempt entrepreneurship. So, here are 7 God awful products from SkyMall.

1. Nose Aid – $24.95

Clinically patented by an emergency room physician to stop nose bleeds is the Nose Aid. (otherwise known as fingers)

2. Traveling Pet Seat – $99.95

Your dog can travel safely and enjoy the view! (just don’t forget to buy a harness which is another $70.00)

3. Beach Radio Headset – $39.95

Lighweight, foldable, portable, water-resistant FM radio player! (should be guaranteed to get you a free ipod from a sympathetic soul who feels sorry for you)

4. Panda Rain Guage – $24.95

“The Cadillac of Rain Guages” – SkyMall (company A…”What the fuck am I going to do with all these extra pandas?” | company B…”we need something to spice up our rain guage…they’re just not selling because they look like every other rain guage ever produced”)

5. Wine & Hors D’oeuvr Tray – $59.95

Bamboo tray created by celebrity chef. (pretty sure I still don’t know how you set it down)

6. Luma Step’ N Shave – $49.95

“supports your foot as you shave…includes powerful suction cups” (I don’t shave my legs…but seriously…come on folks. The really funny thing about this is the reviewer gave it 1 star…apparently it kept slipping to the bottom of the shower….go figure)

7. Skyrest Travel Pillow – $29.95

Featured by the early show on CBS! (…no comment)

Backpacking in a foreign country generally requires you to do a lot of walking.  These tips will help you get the most of your time on foot.

1. Do not put money or valuables in back pockets.  Front pockets are a little safer, but still not encouraged.  Most likely, you are going to be pegged as a tourist, so just try not to act like one by having your rectangular shaped wallet hang halfway out of your back pocket like at home.  It will get picked.
2. Walk up hill to start when you start exploring.  If you are just out to see the city, and have no particular place to go, walk up hill in the mornings.  This does two things.  First, it allows you to have downhill walks when you’re tired at the end of the day.  The second advantage is that it gives you another sense of direction.  You know you were at an intersection, but you forgot which way you turned?  If you always choose uphill, you can find your way back by simply going downhill.
3. When you see a street vendor, purchase their food.  This is an unwritten rule while I travel.  I want to experience the food the locals eat, and anytime I see a street cart selling food, I purchase something.  It’s always cheap and most of the time it’s better than overpriced tourist lunch specials.
4. Avoid wearing sandals or flip-flops in busy and dangerous areas, you may need to make a quick getaway or run to avoid getting hit by a bus.  I learned this the hard way in Amsterdam.  Walking around in sandals and not paying attention to the fact I was standing over train tracks, I had to quickly get out of the way, but my sandal came off easily and I had to hop away in one sandal and one bare foot.
5. Try not to use a map, and if you must, make sure it’s small.  Nothing pegs you like a tourist more than unfolding the giant map.  Don’t be afraid to get lost, ditch the map and ask a local if you need directions.
6. Unless you are a serious photographer, take a camera small enough to carry in a front pocket or small travel bag.  You will get fewer people staring at your all the time.
7. Find a bench in a crowded park and observe.  The theory behind travel is to see and experience the culture.  Don’t get so caught up with an itinerary that you forget to observe.
8. Talk to as many locals as you can.  They always have the best advice on food, hotspots and shortcuts.  You will always learn something you didn’t know.
9. When you find a city loaded with street traffic, and you need to cross the street, most likely there isn’t going to be any form of an organized crosswalk.  So in order to dodge the Vespas and dented cars, walk with confidence, most importantly do not hesitate as drivers will not purposely run you over.  Generally, I just aim for the back bumper of a car, if I can do that, then it gives the car behind him the most time to react to my crossing and not run me over.
10. Relax and enjoy the experience.  So many “tourists” get caught up trying to do too much and see too many sites.  Find a good bar and have a relaxing drink for two or three hours. Backpackers know this.

So many backpackers I know who care about their budget are always coming up with good eats, maybe more importantly, good eats cheaply. While most of the time it will depend on where you are travelling, and the resources available, Ramen and Tuna is a cheap and filling meal. Me and a buddy were eating this just about every other day in the Dominican Republic. We got lucky by staying in a hostel that had a microwave. After that, it’s pretty simple nuke the ramen noodles first in a bowl, then lay out on a plate and throw on your canned tuna. Heat it up quickly in the microwave and then mix. You will be full before you finish, and best of all, it’s usually no more than a $1.00 – $1.25 per meal. It’s really all about using the resources around you, find out what your hostel has, and from there, go track down ingredients. If a hostel has no refrigerator, no microwave and even more importantly, no utensils…you’re eating out. I found a very well done ramen blog created by Matt Fischer, that has numerous ramen recipes for anyone interested.

Rum and Coke my friend….Rum and Coke. Otherwise known as a cuba libre (more lime juice is usually involved though). Travel to any bar and order one it will cost you at least twice as much as what you can make one yourself.

Gathering the ingredients is easy. There is hardly a country on this planet that doesn’t have readily available Coca-Cola, and rum is generally not too far behind. The hardest part is usually finding a glass in the hostel. To save yourself money, buy a small bottle of rum from a grocery store or corner market when you first arrive. Packing rum on a plane is not a good idea and it will usually be confiscated. A small bottle won’t cost you all that much if you buy local product. From there, any time you want a good drink, just go find a cold coke. If your hostel has a refrigerator that makes it even cheaper, as usually you will end up paying a little more for a cold can or bottle than buying off a shelf of room temp. I usually put about a small shot in a glass and just fill the rest with coke. If you desperately desire lime, pick one up from a local vendor as it won’t be all that much. Some of my favorite nights are just hostel bumming with fellow travelers sharing cheap drinks.

I thought I would continue the water bottle article with a slight offshoot just briefly mentioned. Flavor Packets. Flavor Packets are the newest additions to my pack while traveling. Drinking water saves a lot of money, and when you get tired of plain old water, it helps to have a low cost alternative available wherever you go. In addition to cost, it’s never a bad idea to lay off the soft drinks and chug the agua. That’s where these flavor packets come in handy.

The typical flavor packet can be used for about 12-20 ounces of water, depending on how strong you want it. A few different companies make these flavor packets and the number of flavors has dramatically increased.

Crystal Light is kind of leading the way with marketing, and at last check they had 12 flavors available. Great Value also makes a cheaper alternative. Kool-Aid and Lipton are also just entering the market as well. Lipton seems to be pushing their green tea, which I have yet to try. Kool-aid obviously has kid friendly flavors such as tropical punch, cherry, grape, and orange. Actually, when you think about it, Kool-Aid has been doing this for years, now, they just put it in a smaller packet and call them singles. Airborne is a new provider as well, trying to corner the immune conscience consumer, and marketing it as a dietary supplement.

I added these to the packing list because they almost force me to drink more water, which saves money, and they are so small and can pack anywhere with no problem or worry about additional weight. The downside I suppose would be the cost, I just know that buying things in smaller quantities is never a good value. So, for the extreme shoe-string budget traveler, think about buying a larger supply, or see what’s available in your kitchen, and instead of individual packets, dump the powder in a 35mm film case. Those hard plastic, well sealed containers are small and sturdy and can probably hold the equivalent of 3-5 flavor individual flavor packets.

The way I see it…there are two choices for packing the liquid. Cheap bottle vs. Nalgene bottle. Where you will be traveling is also something to consider….does your destination have potable water (okay to drink) or non-potable (drink at your own risk). Most of the time you visit a third world country, there is no need to carry a Nalgene bottle since you will need to buy it bottled anyways. But a reusable Nalgene bottle can come in handy when you have access to good water and a hostel refrigerator.

Bottled water. Be aware that water manufacturers make water with and without carbonation….I hate carbonation, and about gagged when I accidentally purchased it. Look for Sin Carbonacion (Without Carbonation) if you want “regular” drinking water.

Why Nalgene? Simple. They are head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to providing a durable plastic easy access bottle that does not have any effect on the taste of the liquid. Plus….they make a flask….that should say enough. If you are interested in learning more about Nalgene…here is their site.

Water Bottle Tips:
Airlines will not allow any liquids to be carried through security, so start off with an empty bottle and find a water fountain while you’re waiting for the plane.

Look for flavor packets or “On the Go Packets” if you want to actually get some taste to your agua (that’s Spanish for water;). Crystal Light makes some as does Water Sensations. I have seen these available overseas, but not that often.

Most Nalgene bottles have a loop or eye that you can use to attach to your pack, but if you want to get a handle on a regular bottle, use some small 2 or 3 mm perlon cord to tie around the neck of the bottle using it as a strap. The cord also allows you to reuse it for the next bottle. All in all, this cord comes in handy for many things.